Cabinet Approval for Real-Time Passport Application via Overseas Missions

16-Jul-2025

.

Cabinet approval has been granted to the joint proposal submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, together with the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, to implement from this year a system enabling Sri Lankans to apply for passports through real-time processing at 20 overseas Sri Lankan diplomatic missions and offices worldwide.

A proposal for cooperation with the International Organization for Migration has been submitted to expedite and operationalize the system for Sri Lankans abroad to apply for passports in real-time through those missions.

Accordingly, the International Organization for Migration has agreed to provide the necessary funding to implement the project, which involves establishing biometric collection centers, providing required equipment, facilitating real-time communication and coordination with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, developing software, and delivering technical support.

The primary objective is to enable Sri Lankans overseas to conveniently and promptly obtain passports using digital technology.

Therefore, Cabinet approval has been given to operationalize this plan during the current year.